GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court on Monday, May 5, issued notices to stand-up comedian Samay Raina and four others over allegedly insensitive comments targeting persons with disabilities.
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The order came in response to a petition filed by Cure SMA India Foundation, which accused Raina of mocking a person with disability and making remarks on the cost of treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).
The bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh directed the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, to ensure the presence of all five comedians — Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakar (also known as Sonali Aditya Desai), and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar — in court on the next date of hearing.
“Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, is directed to serve notices on respondent no. 6-10 to ensure their presence in court on the next date of hearing, failing which coercive steps will be taken to secure their presence,” the court ordered.
In the petition, the foundation has further sought the creation of regulatory mechanisms for digital content that undermines the dignity of persons with disabilities. The petition cited specific content in which Raina is said to have made demeaning remarks regarding high-cost treatment and disability.
In response, the bench observed that such speech undermines legislative efforts aimed at social integration of persons with disabilities and noted that freedom of expression cannot be used to demean communities or individuals.